this is the site, dug to foundation level with trenching started
We broke ground the second week of March. It’s been, well… It’s been real. Don’t get me wrong- it’s exciting- but digging has been hard going, what with a small hill to move and enough rocks to build yet another hill. We finally hit foundation level last week though, and really that’s not all that long considering there’s just been the two of us, a couple of shovels, and a pickaxe.
We’re on to trenching, and if digging was a chore before I don’t even know how to describe it now. The ground is ridiculously hard and weather has not been cooperating. We had several days of weather warnings in the last week, with winds ranging from 60 km to 100 km/hr. And snow- plenty of snow. Thankfully it melted fairly quickly but they’re forecasting another 20 cm will fall in the next 24 hours.
I’m finding some days (like today) a little discouraging. Hard to find the motivation when you can only scrape the earth bit by bit into a wheelbarrow. It makes for a long day when the progress is so slow. But I remain determined, and committed, so an off day here or there won’t throw me off for long. Shane, in the meantime, is focusing his efforts on our rocket stoves. We’ll require three in total- one for mass heating, one for water heating, and one for cooking. All variations on the basic model that will have to be built and tested prior to the actual build- so he’s got his work cut out for him. When I start to feel badly about all the digging I’m doing, I remind myself I could be stuck with the heating systems which seem- to me- to be a worse assignment.
So that’s where we’re at. Sorry so long between updates. It’s a busy time. For those of you interested in steadier (albeit short) updates and the opportunity to interact with other natural builders, please see our Facebook page and sign up. The address is http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Brigden-Alberta/Canadian-Dirtbags/128912733998?ref=mf
A clearer view of the rubble trench
And so digging was delayed for a couple of days...
This is awesome! I am looking to do the same thing on 5 Acres I recently acquired. I was looking for tips on the rubble trench foundation as we will start digging soon. Do you have a Soil Engineer working with you on the foundation? Please let me know
No, we didn’t work with a soil engineer. We sunk the house three feet into the ground, the rubble trench is an additional 18 inches wide by 18 inches deep. We have solonetzic soil in this region- very hard, very dry and very little top soil (hence the need to build up gardens). This will be year three of working on the house due to our short building season and we’ve experienced everything from a freak flood (which never happens in this area) to two full winters with no drainage issues or moisture inside of the house save for the front ‘entrance’ which isn’t finished so snow can get in through gaps in the temporary roof.
Congratulations on your property and best of luck with your building!